Programme Support Manager Review

by South Western Railway

Rating

6/10

1. Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:

I manage a community grant for railway company. I look after grant agreements, reporting to business, liaison with stakeholders, delivery of the projects that received grants etc.

7/10

2. Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?

I have developed existing skills, such as project planning. It has been useful to put my day-to-day work in context with theory behind it.

7/10

3. To what extent do you enjoy your programme?

I enjoy parts of the programme, especially the workshops, but it has not been made very clear what needs submitting for each part initially and the numerous changes of staff contacts did not help.

6/10

4. How well organised/structured is your programme?

I think structure is good, but organisation was a bit confusing and the system is not always very easy to use and can be a bit confusing as well.

6/10

5. How much support do you receive from your employer?

Very little in my previous role, probably due to lack of understanding. Currently changed roles, so will see if it improves.

4/10

6. How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?

It was a bit hit and miss as my skills coach left the training provider in the first couple of months of my apprenticeship and the trainer was changed not long after as well. New skills coach was helpful once she started.

5/10

7. How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?

I have not been able to progress through the apprenticeship as well as I was planning to due to job changes, so I cannot say I have seen big changes yet, but I have used some of the knowledge while in my old job.

6/10

8. Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)

Yes, but due to limited childcare, I find it hard to regularly participate.

7/10

9a. Would you recommend South Western Railway to a friend?

9b. Why?

Any railway company is probably in a similar position - railways are going through big changes and that can be unsettling. Morale is low and that can be a challenging environment to get into.

10. What tips or advice would you give to others applying to South Western Railway?

Have a can-do attitude and work on your resilience and patience.